WS Chronicle

By Busta Brown 

In the fast-paced world of business, success doesn’t come from simply following trends. It’s about making bold, strategic decisions that help take your business to the next level. That is where SpiceLAB comes in. Founded by Lu-Ann Barry, a passionate entrepreneur with a knack for strategy and growth, SpiceLAB is a business development agency designed to help business owners, with coaching and consulting services who are ready to put in the work through one of her signature frameworks and take their businesses to new heights, with an emphasis on strategic thinking and project management.  

With a deep understanding of what it takes to build and scale a thriving business, Lu-Ann is dedicated to helping clients identify their next power move. Her vision began in Lu-Ann’s hometown Brooklyn, New York. “It began out of my desire to create specially curated, intimate events. Over time, it evolved into a space for bringing entrepreneurs together to network, share information, and find resources. When I relocated to North Carolina in 2015, that’s when SpiceLAB really began to take off and transform into what it is today,” she said. 

Lu-Ann Barry is a force to be reckoned with in the entrepreneurial world. She is a brilliant strategist, a visionary, and a true catalyst for success. 

I am an NBA-Hall of Famer Magic Johnson fan. Like Magic was on the court, she is the same in the business field. A masterful point guard, who orchestrates game-changing plays, elevating everyone around her to their highest potential. Her impact is nothing short of transformative.  

When I asked her to share a couple of SpiceLAB success stories, her reply was simple, yet empowering, “All of my success stories come from moments when someone decides to take a leap of faith. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. But at the end of the day, you have to take action to truly understand the value of your business. That’s something I’ve always prided myself on throughout my 15 years with SpiceLAB. It’s the same principle; no matter where you are, whether you’re just starting out or you’re in the middle of the journey. The key is how you handle taking that leap of faith, knowing that nothing is ever guaranteed. At least you’re making the effort, and at the end of the day, you can look back and say, I gave it my all. Now, what’s next?”  

Taking that first step is often the hardest part of starting a business, but Lu Ann has the perfect cure for the anxiety and doubt that come with it. “Before you even take that leap of faith, you need to believe there’s something worth jumping for. When you’re creating a product or service, you have to truly believe that what you’re offering is something the market needs. It doesn’t matter if there are 10,000 versions of the same thing. What matters is your conviction that your vision is unique, and you’re the one who can execute it in a way that will make it stand out. 

Without that belief, nothing else will work. Every step that follows will be harder, and the journey will feel uncertain. But if you believe in your vision, you really believe in it, then that’s the foundation everything else is built on. From there, God will provide the resources, the people, the opportunities. They’ll come, one way or another. But it all starts with belief,” said Lu-Ann. 

When I think of the Chaka Khan’s 1978 classic “I’m every woman”, it’s hard not to think of Lu Ann Barry. She’s also the executive director for The Women’s Business Center of The Triad (WBCT) as well. WBCT promotes economic self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship in Greensboro, North Carolina, and the surrounding area. They empower business leaders by offering tools and support to establish businesses, stabilize their companies, generate sustainable profits, strategize for future growth, and contribute to the growth and economic development of the community.  

I asked if men in The Triad can benefit as well, “We’re a part of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development, and while we’re called the Women’s Business Center, we actually support all entrepreneurs. In fact, we work with a lot of men, as well as young adults who are aspiring to start their own businesses. Our goal is to provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs at various levels, helping them strengthen the foundational aspects of their businesses. We also connect them with resources and opportunities throughout the Triad area extending out to Person, Orange and Chatham counties.” 

I asked the New York native to share some of the key obstacles that women and minority-owned businesses typically face. “Everybody talks about needing funding, and that’s a given. But when you remove the obvious like financial assistance, what’s really left? It’s education. How are we educating ourselves as business leaders? You cannot expect your business to grow without doing the work to elevate yourself as an owner. That shift in mindset is key. You need to understand your operations, know when to scale back, and when to scale up. There’s a difference between scaling and building capacity,” shared Lu-Ann.  

She added, “It’s about increasing efficiency and maximizing what’s working for you. The key is taking the time to strategize and identify where the gaps are in your business. Once you pinpoint those gaps, you can turn them into opportunities for growth rather than letting them defeat you. 

When you’re willing to put in the effort, to truly strategize and implement what will work for your business, that’s when real transformation happens. It all comes down to passion. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, it’s hard to stay committed. Passion is what keeps you going through the hard work, and that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.”. 

Lu-Ann’s journey was far from easy. She faced the relentless challenge of overcoming deep self-doubt, a battle that tested her every step of the way. Yet, through perseverance and inner strength, she found a way to rise above it. “I doubted myself many times along the way; but eventually, I reached a point where I had to say enough is enough. I knew what I was good at, and I had to own that. It took a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a lot of people who didn’t believe in me, including family, who didn’t understand why I was pursuing entrepreneurship. 

But I have to give my mom credit. She always told me to at least try. She said, ‘if you fail, you fail, but at least you’ll know you tried.’ She’s been my biggest cheerleader, and no matter how many times I got knocked down or tried something that didn’t work, she kept pushing me to keep going. 

That’s when I realized this wasn’t just a career; it was aligned with my purpose. It’s a God-given talent, and when you don’t use the gifts God has given you, He will shake you to your core to get you moving. 

After a while, it didn’t matter who thought I was good enough or qualified enough. I knew what I was capable of because this was my calling. I’ve been doing this for years, and I’ll continue to do it until God leads me elsewhere. The fulfillment I get now comes from helping others avoid the same mistakes I made as an entrepreneur.”   

My Phenomenal Person of the Week is Lu-Ann Barry. Follow Lu-Ann @spicelab on IG or send an email to letswork@heyspicelab.com.